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WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM AN EVENT MANAGEMENT INTERNSHIP

Words can’t begin to express my feelings about my experience. I am forever thankful for my time in Cape Town, from the people I met to the challenges I had to face. This adventure has been a catalyst for growth, and I am a firm believer that it’s a journey that everyone should embark on at least once in their lives.” – Diego, Hogeschool Inholland – Haarlem

No matter how much studying one does at a learning institution, experiencing the ins and outs of planning an event in a real life setting is unmatched. When it comes to planning and managing an event, the art of organizing while dealing with tight budgets is not a skill to be mastered overnight. That’s why interning is a great way to break out of your shell and start leveling up your skillset – all while supporting meaningful projects that tackle environmental, educational, and social causes.

In this blog, we’ll see through Diego’s eyes the rollercoaster of events he rode through during his NGO Event Coordination Internship in Cape Town and explore what valuable lessons he picked up on the way.

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Interns handing out food to children in Cape Town

KEY FACTS ABOUT OUR EVENT MANAGEMENT INTERNSHIP

Location: Cape Town
Academic Focus Area: Event Management
Length: 8-20 weeks
Price range: Starting from USD 2,655

THE INTERNSHIP

This internship is perfect for those who have a passion for building a better future with their organizational skills. It’s a chance to let your creativity go wild and organize meaningful events with a nonprofit organization. Located on the outskirts of Cape Town, this organization hosts community events to educate and provide a safe space to learn and engage with one another.

THE ORGANIZATION

Projekt Ubuntu is a nonprofit community center in a township on the outskirts of Cape Town. The organization focuses on fostering the wellbeing of the people in their township, particularly children, and looks to secure the development and future of their people. They make an impact by running various initiatives that come together to solve the social issues that the community’s youth faces daily.

ABOUT DIEGO

Meet Diego, a dedicated student and music aficionado from Luxembourg that specializes in International Event Management. Diego has always loved coordinating events since his teenage years and he genuinely saw himself managing events for a living. But after the infamous pandemic struck, Diego’s plans got sidetracked, and he ended up feeling a bit lost on what his next step was going to be. He knew that he not only wanted to make a difference, but that it was also a time in his life where he needed to step out of his comfort zone. After stumbling upon this internship, he thought it was the perfect opportunity to redirect his life and reignite his passion once more. Driven by a desire to make an impact and grow professionally, he embarked on an exciting journey across the world, far from home. Read on to uncover the story of how his internship impacted him.

Event management intern holding a baby

4 LESSONS LEARNED FROM DIEGO’S EVENT MANAGEMENT INTERNSHIP

  1. PUT SKILLS INTO PRACTICE 

There’s no better place to put into practice what you once learned through books and textbooks than in a real life setting. Interning is a great chance to implement your fresh ideas on how to hold events and test out your skills along with experienced mentors. When reaching out to Diego, he told us that he had the space to unveil his abilities throughout his internship, inevitably allowing him to grow personally and professionally . 

“From the get go, I knew I had a unique experience compared to the typical internship program because I had the freedom to organize  diverse events and fundraisers throughout the Ubuntu Center. I remember my very first event I organized during my internship for the kids of the community: an Easter Egg Hunt. We had a wonderful time and it allowed me to get to know the kids and to connect with them on a deeper level. 

From then on I was involved with all aspects of what coordination and management duties entail. Everything from budgeting & securing partnerships to the actual coordination and facilitation. Seeing how happy and grateful the community was after each event really gave me a boost of commitment to my organization’s mission. After having the pleasure of working with them, I feel more confident than ever in my skills knowing that they’ll be useful in the future, no matter what career I end up in.”

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2. BECOME A LEADER

One of the most honorable parts of anyone’s life is when you get to forge a path for others to step into. Leading others to follow your footsteps allows you to not only teach, but to also perfect your craft. Needless to say that leadership is not gained at birth. There are many obstacles to overcome for becoming the guiding light of your fellow team members. During an internship, you will be mentored by someone who has jumped through these hurdles and is now passing down their wisdom to you and to other interns to come. And sometimes, when those mentors deem that it’s the right moment, they let you fly on your own and share your knowledge. For Diego, he held the responsibility to guide new volunteers after demonstrating his ability to work with others and succeed in his tasks simultaneously.

“As I progressed in my internship, my mentors trusted me with this responsibility, and I did not take it lightly. Passing from mentee to mentor was a big milestone. After helping coordinate logistics for larger volunteer groups, I acted as mentor to these groups by providing valuable insights on how to make the most of their time in Cape Town while working with the project. This experience gave me the reassurance that later in the future, I can apply my skills in different environments and lead others so that we can mutually succeed.”

Intern inspecting the hand of a child

3. MAKE LONG LASTING CONNECTIONS

Being an intern isn’t just about the hustle and bustle! Interning allows you to engage with community members throughout your projects and make meaningful connections. When first moving to an unknown place without knowing anyone can be a challenge. But when you start to sink into the atmosphere, amazing bonds begin to form with those around you. 

Connecting and communicating with those around Diego helped him excel in and out his internship space. “Working with a nonprofit, I saw the value of making connections as I teamed up with stakeholders to secure partnerships. These collaborations are what made the events for the community possible in the first place, teaching me the importance of making meaningful cooperation with like-minded organizations.” 

He also connected with community members in activities organized outside of the workspace.“I was lucky enough to be welcomed by beautiful and interesting human beings who taught me about their South African culture. One of the most life changing moments of my journey was when I attended AfrikaBurn. It’s an event built and catered  by volunteers and participants. That shared purpose tied with freedom to express oneself creatively and authentically was eye-opening, and it highlighted the significance of being part of a community.”

 FIND OUT MORE REASONS TO DO AN INTERNSHIP WITH AN NGO

4. ADAPT, PERSEVERE AND POWER THROUGH

There’s no need to mention that being far away from home, even if it is for a good cause, can be difficult. Being immersed in a new environment as a foreigner can prove to be quite challenging when facing a new culture, climate, and language. However jumping into the unknown can also prove to be one of the most enriching experiences in one’s lifetime. Stepping out of your comfort zone, meeting new people, and creating something bigger than yourself highlights your resilience and strength when facing adversity. 

“Packing up and moving to a foreign country in hopes of something better is not an easy choice to make. I prepared mentally for my journey ahead, but once I got to Cape Town all my fears melted away. I was immediately embraced by my mentors, who I now consider my ‘Cape Town parents’, and soon after by the community. I learned to adapt to working in a new context, to take on greater levels of responsibility, to be flexible, and how to be productive and efficient in a foreign environment. 

Regardless of the ups and downs of my journey, I would do it all over again if given the opportunity. The projects I was working on, along with the inspiring people I met, touched me so much that it was a force that drove me everyday. I’m eternally grateful for this new outlook on life and even though I don’t know what career path I will be pursuing down the road, I can now see myself combining my main passion for organizing music events with nonprofit work and giving.”  

Event management intern playing with kids

DISCOVER YOUR NEXT INTERNSHIP …

At Roots, we continuously strive to improve our internship placements, ensuring they meet the needs of our interns like Diego. Seeking feedback from past interns fuels our commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences. Our mission is to connect you with the ideal internship that matches your skills and interests. We simplify everything you need to know before, during, and after your internship, empowering you to focus on making an impact.

APPLY NOW FOR AN EVENT PLANNING INTERNSHIP 

Ready to jump on board with a new adventure? Let us help! Browse through all of our Event Coordination Internships and find one that aligns with your goals and background! Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have – we’re here to guide you every step of the way. 

BROWSE THROUGH ALL OUR AVAILABLE INTERNSHIPS ABROAD

This blog was written by Adelis L. Álvarez